Garbage collection fees will rise slightly in December when the city switches to an automated refuse pickup system.
Beginning Dec 1, Highland will contract with Laidlaw Waste Systems to haul trash in 96-gallon containers that will be distributed to residents. The collection fee will go from $8.50 a month to $8.75.John Newman, city manager, said Laidlaw agreed to provide the service for $7.63. The city will tack on another $1.12 monthly for administrative costs, garbage collection in parks and citywide cleanup, he said.
City officials have studied automated garbage collection for some time. But Highland couldn't switch to the system until its contract with BFI Waste Systems expired this past month, Newman said.
The city signed a three-year contract with Laidlaw. Highland was the last city in northern Utah County to switch to the automated system.
Residents will not have to pay for the first container. Additional containers will cost $1.75. Laidlaw will distribute the plastic cans to about 1,300 households.